明朝(chao)弘(hong)治年間,皇(huang)權日(ri)益(yi)衰朽,朝(chao)政日(ri)益(yi)腐敗(bai),社會矛盾日(ri)益(yi)尖銳,百姓處(chu)于水深火熱(re)之中,各地農民(min)紛紛揭竿起義(yi),其中以(yi)(yi)池(chi)仲容領導的農民(min)起義(yi)軍(jun)影響很大,威震(zhen)四方。起義(yi)軍(jun)以(yi)(yi)“劫富濟貧”為口(kou)號,以(yi)(yi)紅色“蜈蚣(gong)”為旗幟,以(yi)(yi)紅布扎頭為標志,池(chi)仲容自(zi)稱“金(jin)龍霸(ba)王”。
相傳,池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)出(chu)生在和(he)(he)平縣(xian)浰頭(tou)(浰源)曲潭村,家(jia)境貧寒,祖(zu)祖(zu)輩(bei)輩(bei)靠租(zu)(zu)種(zhong)財(cai)(cai)主(zhu)的(de)(de)土地和(he)(he)打獵為(wei)生。池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)少時(shi)常隨父進山射(she)獵,練就一(yi)(yi)身(shen)好本領(ling),力(li)縛猛虎(hu)、捷如猿猴,長大(da)后(hou),愛憎分明、敢(gan)作敢(gan)為(wei)。明弘(hong)治年(nian)(nian)間,浰頭(tou)一(yi)(yi)帶連年(nian)(nian)荒災,哀鴻遍野,民(min)(min)(min)(min)不(bu)(bu)聊生,而地主(zhu)富(fu)豪催(cui)租(zu)(zu)逼債,心狠手毒(du),毫不(bu)(bu)留情。仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)家(jia)因(yin)欠(qian)租(zu)(zu)欠(qian)債,父親被地主(zhu)惡霸(ba)強行(xing)抓走。過(guo)了不(bu)(bu)久,縣(xian)衙(ya)門派來(lai)兩名(ming)官(guan)吏(li),帶領(ling)一(yi)(yi)幫差役,又往浰頭(tou)征糧征稅,破(po)門入戶、橫(heng)征暴斂,并(bing)將暴取的(de)(de)糧物,強迫(po)一(yi)(yi)批農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)運(yun)送(song)。廣大(da)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)義(yi)(yi)憤填膺(ying)、怒不(bu)(bu)可遏。此(ci)時(shi),仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)挺身(shen)而出(chu),帶領(ling)數十人,半途截擊,殺死兩名(ming)官(guan)吏(li),奪回糧物分給貧苦農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min),并(bing)趁(chen)此(ci)機會,倡導農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi),廣大(da)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)積極響(xiang)應。短短的(de)(de)幾個(ge)月,就組成了上千人的(de)(de)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)伍并(bing)建(jian)立農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)政權,起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)在農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)軍(jun)(jun)控區里,沒收地主(zhu)惡霸(ba)財(cai)(cai)產,破(po)倉分糧,分田(tian)分地,起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)壯舉得到(dao)浰頭(tou)一(yi)(yi)帶農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)的(de)(de)稱贊和(he)(he)擁護,各地農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)紛紛投奔起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun),起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)伍不(bu)(bu)斷壯大(da),幾年(nian)(nian)之內(nei),起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)發展到(dao)一(yi)(yi)萬多人。起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)以(yi)浰頭(tou)為(wei)大(da)本營(ying)(ying),據說現在望障山下曲潭村有個(ge)營(ying)(ying)盤的(de)(de)地名(ming),就是當年(nian)(nian)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)大(da)本營(ying)(ying)。農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)(min)政權建(jian)立后(hou),“金龍(long)霸(ba)王”池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)封(feng)池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)安、池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)寧(ning)、李鑒、高(gao)(gao)允賢、高(gao)(gao)飛甲、黃(huang)尚琦為(wei)元帥,下設(she)都督(du)、總(zong)兵,據守浰頭(tou)38個(ge)寨(zhai)。
仲容起義軍有(you)嚴密的軍事(shi)組(zu)織和軍事(shi)紀律,他們(men)在(zai)浰頭曲潭村(cun)千斤擔一帶開荒種地、屯兵(bing)耕活、煉鐵鑄器(qi)、保證供給。
仲容(rong)起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)還與(yu)周邊(bian)(bian)的起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)組成廣(guang)泛聯盟(meng),例如常(chang)與(yu)贛(gan)州、左(zuo)溪、橫(heng)崗三大寨以及漳(zhang)州大帽山起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)結成聯盟(meng),并和(he)樂昌起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)遙相呼應,他們經常(chang)互相配合攻(gong)打鄰近諸縣(xian),成為活(huo)躍在粵、閩、贛(gan)地區、三省邊(bian)(bian)界的一支(zhi)強大的起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)。明正德年間,仲容(rong)起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)先(xian)(xian)后攻(gong)打龍川、翁源、始興、會昌等(deng)縣(xian)城,曾活(huo)捉河(he)源主簿、龍南(nan)市(shi)官(guan),擄南(nan)安府經歷,戳信(xin)豐(feng)所千戶,正德十(shi)二(er)年(1517年)2月,圍(wei)攻(gong)信(xin)豐(feng)城。明王朝曾先(xian)(xian)后兩次(ci)調集數萬官(guan)兵“圍(wei)剿(jiao)”起(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun),均(jun)遭慘(can)敗潰退。從此,“金龍霸(ba)王”威震(zhen)四(si)方、威懾朝政。
明王(wang)朝遭遇(yu)二次失敗后,遂譴右(you)都御史(shi)、南贛巡撫(fu),并授(shou)提督軍(jun)(jun)門王(wang)守仁(王(wang)陽明,明代(dai)思想(xiang)家(jia)、軍(jun)(jun)事家(jia),心(xin)學集大成者),率兵進剿。王(wang)陽明蒞任后,視池仲容為“數千(qian)年(nian)巨寇,三省(sheng)群盜禍根”,他一方面統(tong)調兩廣、福(fu)建、江西諸省(sheng)兵力,對池仲容起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)進行圍剿,一方面施詐招(zhao)安,瓦(wa)解起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)斗(dou)志。
明正德十二年(nian),南贛義軍首(shou)(shou)領(ling)黃(huang)金(jin)巢、盧柯果然(ran)(ran)歸順。官(guan)(guan)府乘機引誘(you)池仲(zhong)容(rong)到(dao)贛州招(zhao)安。遲仲(zhong)容(rong)先派胞(bao)弟遲仲(zhong)安前來(lai)打探內(nei)情,得知匯報(bao)后(hou),決定深入(ru)虎穴,以身犯險。據說,官(guan)(guan)府乘過年(nian)(春節(jie))之際,有意大(da)(da)(da)肆鋪張、張燈(deng)結(jie)彩、舞龍(long)舞獅、觀燈(deng)、看(kan)大(da)(da)(da)戲(xi),熱鬧(nao)非(fei)凡,然(ran)(ran)后(hou),把(ba)池仲(zhong)容(rong)當作已歸降(jiang)部下來(lai)對待,獎(jiang)賞了很(hen)多錢物。池仲(zhong)容(rong)帶(dai)領(ling)始興陳(chen)虞(yu)等大(da)(da)(da)小首(shou)(shou)領(ling)以及百(bai)余老(lao)弱(ruo)殘兵前來(lai)道謝,當他來(lai)到(dao)贛州城,看(kan)到(dao)處處是(shi)(shi)一(yi)片歡樂喜慶的氣(qi)氛,他將(jiang)信(xin)將(jiang)疑,將(jiang)眾人留在(zai)外面,自己只帶(dai)幾個人來(lai)見王(wang)守仁(ren),王(wang)守仁(ren)非(fei)常客(ke)氣(qi),說:“都是(shi)(shi)我的好(hao)百(bai)姓,怎能過門而不入(ru),都請進來(lai),好(hao)好(hao)招(zhao)待。”王(wang)守仁(ren)留他們在(zai)城里觀燈(deng)看(kan)大(da)(da)(da)戲(xi),池仲(zhong)容(rong)和(he)眾首(shou)(shou)領(ling)快樂地度過了大(da)(da)(da)年(nian)初(chu)一(yi)和(he)初(chu)二,并(bing)實時向池仲(zhong)容(rong)招(zhao)降(jiang),遲仲(zhong)容(rong)未降(jiang),并(bing)想(xiang)早(zao)(zao)日回(hui)山。初(chu)三王(wang)守仁(ren)照樣是(shi)(shi)設酒宴招(zhao)待,并(bing)假意為遲仲(zhong)容(rong)踐行。遲仲(zhong)容(rong)放(fang)松(song)了警惕(ti),正準備離去時,王(wang)守仁(ren)早(zao)(zao)有埋伏,并(bing)一(yi)舉拿下。就在(zai)年(nian)初(chu)三晚(wan)上,池仲(zhong)容(rong)及大(da)(da)(da)小首(shou)(shou)領(ling)四十多人全部遇(yu)害。
在仲容(rong)被(bei)(bei)(bei)害的(de)(de)同(tong)時,王(wang)守仁發動了(le)對起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)總(zong)部的(de)(de)進(jin)攻(gong)。他們(men)對起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)眷(juan)屬(shu)和村(cun)民封(feng)鎖仲容(rong)被(bei)(bei)(bei)害和盧(lu)柯(ke)叛變(bian)消息,指使起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)的(de)(de)叛徒盧(lu)柯(ke)傳話,說起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)首領(ling)們(men)已歸順朝(chao)廷了(le),為了(le)表示獎賞,官府(fu)給義(yi)軍(jun)眷(juan)屬(shu)和村(cun)民每人(ren)派發半斤(jin)豬肉、兩斤(jin)大(da)米(mi),全村(cun)男女老少(shao),吃完晚飯(fan)(約晚上9時)親(qin)自(zi)到(dao)離大(da)本營約2里路(lu)的(de)(de)“黃江(jiang)圍(wei)”大(da)圍(wei)屋(wu)內領(ling)取(qu)。因為起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)眷(juan)屬(shu)和村(cun)民不(bu)知道(dao)盧(lu)柯(ke)已叛變(bian),把盧(lu)柯(ke)的(de)(de)話當真了(le),吃完晚飯(fan)后(hou),他們(men)陸(lu)(lu)陸(lu)(lu)續續來到(dao)黃江(jiang)圍(wei),并被(bei)(bei)(bei)要(yao)求一個個從前門(men)(men)(men)進(jin)、后(hou)門(men)(men)(men)出(chu)(chu),但最(zui)終沒有一個人(ren)能從后(hou)門(men)(men)(men)走出(chu)(chu)來。據說,第二(er)天,黃江(jiang)圍(wei)屋(wu)口的(de)(de)兩口池(chi)塘(tang)堆(dui)滿了(le)尸(shi)體,今天的(de)(de)曲潭村(cun)已找不(bu)到(dao)一戶池(chi)姓人(ren)家,周圍(wei)方圓幾(ji)十里的(de)(de)田頭山野也找不(bu)到(dao)一座池(chi)姓的(de)(de)墳(fen)墓。這也是(shi)明朝(chao)封(feng)建(jian)社(she)會株連九族的(de)(de)見證吧。
失(shi)去(qu)總(zong)首領(ling)的(de)起義軍,仍與(yu)朝廷官(guan)兵浴血(xue)奮戰,至第二年7月(yue),被殺義軍達3000余人(ren),被擄賣(mai)義軍眷屬890余人(ren)。至此(ci),“金龍霸王”池仲(zhong)容領(ling)導的(de)農民起義軍以失(shi)敗告終。
一場(chang)聲勢浩大的池(chi)仲容農民起(qi)(qi)義(yi)早已落下帷(wei)幕(mu),當年在這里(li)發(fa)生的驚心動(dong)魄(po)、扣人心弦的故事(shi)已成為歷史,在浰(li)頭望障山下的曲潭村,已找不到太多(duo)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)留下的痕跡,只有(you)“金龍霸王(wang)”池(chi)仲容祖屋(wu)樓閣遺(yi)址(zhi)前(qian)的半月形池(chi)塘,保存完好,春夏秋冬都有(you)半池(chi)塘水,靜靜地(di)躺在這里(li),使人們(men)聯想起(qi)(qi)當年發(fa)生的一幕(mu)幕(mu)故事(shi)。