Chapter 341: Washing the Sea

The drumbeats roared to life.

Over 120 island men lifted their sea bowls, knelt down, and poured the wine from their bowls into the sea.

Behind them, the island women poured entire baskets of peanuts, dates, and walnuts into the sea.

The remaining islanders bowed deeply, paying their respects to the sea.

This ancient and solemn ceremony seemed like something one could only see on television. 

In ancient times, such a ritual would be a sacrifice to the gods. Today, it seems more like a cultural tradition that unites the spirit of the islanders, living by the sea, partnering with the fish, and collectively offering blessings.

After the first bowl of wine was poured, the island women brought out wine jars to refill everyone's bowls.

"Boom...!"

Another drumbeat sounded.

Grandpa Hanshan took a deep breath and shouted loudly:

"A second toast for safe travels!"

"A third toast for abundant catches!"

One bowl of wine after another was poured out.

The sea roared with waves, and the clouds in the sky grew thicker and heavier, almost pressing down on everyone.

Grandpa Hanshan stood alone on the high platform, reciting the coastal invocation:

"Nanjing Xiaomajia, living by the sea. Endowed with infinite treasures and boundless resources;"

"Land floats thickly on the sea, farming the sea and fishing. Casting silver nets to catch sea treasures, building a paradise with iron arms."

"Accepting endless streams, conserving the flow for eternity."

Grandpa Hanshan's speech wasn't entirely in standard Mandarin; it carried a hint of the ancient local dialect. 

Yet, it didn't sound out of place at all. Combined with the invocation, it sounded filled with a sense of sanctity.

"With the blessings of the sea, enrich the people and prosper the nation. Let the sea be calm and the rivers clear, and the nation's fortunes flourish."

"With the turning of the year, we pray to the vast sea, wishing the dragon flag to flutter, for abundant harvests and health, for a new beginning, and for a bright future in the East!"

"We pray!"

As Grandpa Hanshan's words fell, the drum and conch sounds echoed once again.

The islanders knelt on the ground, earnestly praying to the sea.

Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang also knelt on the ground, mimicking the others, raising their hands high above their heads and pressing them together in prayer.

"May the sea be vast and the fish multiply endlessly!"

The islanders' prayers merged together. Initially, the voices were individual and scattered, but gradually, the prayers became unified, louder, and more synchronized.

"Wash the sea!"

Grandpa Hanshan shouted.

Everyone stood up from their positions.

Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang stood there dumbfounded, watching the island men head to the docks, seemingly to board ships, while the women turned back toward the island.

"Bro... what's this step?" Xiaolang asked.

"I don't know either." Chen Jianhai was also puzzled.

What is washing the sea?

He had never heard of it before! 

He had thought the island's New Year celebration would be a small gathering, not expecting such a strong sense of ritual! Feng Di had only told them to wear formal attire, without explaining anything else.

As they stood there confused, Grandpa Hanshan and Lao Yan approached.

"Chen Jianhai, you come aboard with me," Grandpa Hanshan said.

"Xiaolang, you come with me," Lao Yan said.

With that, the two walked toward the dock with their hands behind their backs.

Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang exchanged puzzled looks, surprised to find they were boarding different boats.

However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. 

Following the island's customs was surely the right choice.

At the dock,

Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang each followed Grandpa Hanshan and Lao Yan onto their respective boats.

As soon as he boarded, Chen Jianhai noticed decorations of the sun, waves, and tiger heads on the bow, with two strings of small firecrackers hanging on either side.

"Chen Jianhai, come light the firecrackers with me!" 

Grandpa Hanshan said, leading Chen Jianhai to the bow and handing him a lighter.

Chen Jianhai, without any suspicion, took the lighter and followed Grandpa Hanshan in lighting the firecrackers.

The next moment, the crackling sound of firecrackers burst from the boat.

Chen Jianhai covered his ears from the noise.

Hearing the firecrackers on Grandpa Hanshan's boat, the other boats followed suit, creating a lively and festive scene at the dock.

Next, Grandpa Hanshan solemnly burned a piece of gold foil at the bow.

After timing it carefully,

the motor roared to life with a "dadadada" sound. The vibration underfoot felt like the motor's power and also like the waves of the sea, carrying Chen Jianhai away from the dock and toward the open sea.

As Grandpa Hanshan's leading boat left the harbor, the other boats followed one after another.

A thousand boats competed, splashing waves.

The fishing boats, bow to stern and side by side, cut through the waves, heading into the deep sea.

"So magnificent…" Chen Jianhai murmured as he looked back.

"First time seeing it, right?" Grandpa Hanshan said cheerfully. "Not just anyone can board my boat and enjoy the honor of being on the leading boat."

As he spoke, Grandpa Hanshan took out a small handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his sweat.

The invocation and hosting the ceremony were physically demanding tasks for an elderly man. 

Now that the boat was on its way, he could finally rest a bit.

Chen Jianhai looked at Grandpa Hanshan with admiration:

"Grandpa, you were so impressive on the stage! Full of vigor and very authoritative!"

Grandpa Hanshan's mouth instantly curved into a smile, his eyes squinting with joy, his face brimming with pride and happiness.

But Chen Jianhai's next words almost made Grandpa Hanshan lose his composure.

"Especially when you were reciting the invocation, it felt like you were an ancient shaman, ready to summon the wind and rain, thunder and lightning."

Grandpa Hanshan nearly kicked Chen Jianhai into the sea after hearing that.

Chen Jianhai asked curiously, "Grandpa, what does 'washing the sea' mean?"

Grandpa Hanshan gave him a look, "Washing the sea is similar to washing the boat."

"We live on the sea all year round, praying for good weather and smooth sailing."

"Traditionally, we take the boats as far out to sea as possible, covering a wide range, washing away any bad luck and regrets from the past year, to ensure peace and safety for the coming year."

Chen Jianhai nodded in understanding.

"And what do these decorations mean?"

Grandpa Hanshan glanced at the decorations on the bow and said, "The sun represents the sky, the tiger running on the ground represents the earth, and the waves represent the water."

"Having these on the bow means the boat has the elements of sky, earth, and water, ensuring the boat's safety and protection."

"Our island is surrounded by the sea, a lone island where you can't get anywhere without a boat."

"Only if the boats are safe can we live well, produce well, and develop well."

"So, every year during the sea washing, we take the boats as far out as possible."

"You see... that area is your island's northern sea area, where we often fish."