On the coast of the East China Sea, old fisherman Chen Sihai went out to sea alone in a small boat. His son was forced to leave home because of debts from a fishing company, and his wife fell ill due to worry.
Sihai is determined to challenge the treacherous sea area called the "Wrath of the Dragon King" by fishermen, in search of the legendary "Golden Scale Mackerel". For three days and three nights, he fought a life-and-death struggle with a giant mackerel, exhausting the last of his strength. The fish was finally dragged back to the port, but the fish had been eaten by sharks until only its huge skeleton remained.
The representative of the fishing company looked on with cold eyes: "A waste fish bone cannot cover the debt owed by your son." That night, Sihai fell asleep in exhaustion, and in his dream he saw the boundless sea and swimming schools of fish.
The next morning, young Ah Hai silently hung the fish bones on the old banyan tree at the entrance of the village. The sun penetrates the gaps between the fish bones and casts mottled light and shadow, like a silent medal in the sea.
Purpose: Persistence and value of tradition under modernity