Back To The 80s-Chapter 432 - 442: Trademark_1

Seeing that the business in the store was slow, Gu Xiaobei began to consider registering a trademark first.

The challenge, once again, was choosing a name. The name for tea had to be fresh and elegant, not vulgar like the name "Prosperous World".

She quietly discusses with Bai Xiaolan at home, "I want to register a trademark for selling tea. What name do you think I should choose?"

Bai Xiaolan, not understanding, blithely suggests, "Why not Wu Yutai? It’s quite famous in Capital City."

Gu Xiaobei twitches at the corner of her eyes, feeling that asking Bai Xiaolan for advice was unwise. It would have been better to discuss it with her boyfriend. She patiently explains, "That’s a well-established brand, we can’t use it. Let me think of some names, which among Yi Qing, Yi Xiang, and Yuan Xiang do you think is better?"

Bai Xiaolan scratches her head and says, "I think they all sound pretty good?"

Gu Xiaobei sighs, feeling that the three names were still not striking enough, it wouldn’t immediately convey what they were selling. It seems she will need to give it more thought.

Bai Xiaolan looks at Gu Xiaobei lying on the kang, curiously asking, "Now you want to get into the tea business? Are you not doing wholesale anymore?"

"Yeah, I am, it’s just that the wholesale business is too tiring, too many daily concerns. The retail business will be tiring in the beginning, but it can ease up later," said Gu Xiaobei, her eyes half-shut.

Bai Xiaolan lays down beside Gu Xiaobei and says, "If you’re short on money, I can lend you some."

"I don’t need it now, when I do, I definitely won’t refuse. What do you want to do in the future?" Gu Xiaobei opens her eyes and turns her face towards Bai Xiaolan.

Bai Xiaolan giggles and says, "When my child grows up, I want to open a shop selling honey cakes. Xiangdong already knows about it, he even said that honey cakes are very tasty." Her face glowed with excitement and sweetness.

Seeing Bai Xiaolan boast about her relationship, Gu Xiaobei smiles and teases, "Look at your ambitions."

In the evening, back at the dormitory, Gu Xiaobei consulted Lu Zhanguo.

Lu Zhanguo, not knowing much about this, could only suggest, "The name must contain the word ’tea’ or something related to it, and it should represent the distinctive characteristics of the Northwest. If we could incorporate the special features of the Northwest, it would be even better."

Gu Xiaobei nodded emphatically, she always knew that her boyfriend would have the best suggestions. "Northwest characteristics, Northwest characteristics..." Gu Xiaobei began to think hard about what she learned in history class. The most famous thing about G Province was the Hexi Corridor.

The Hexi Corridor was a part of the Silk Road. It has the unique features of G Province and encompassed Northwest culture.

Gu Xiaobei’s eyes lit up, she excitedly proposed, "How about we call it ’Scent of the Silk Road’? The fragrance of the tea spreads along the ancient Silk Road, reaching across the nation. When we print the trademark, we can affix a few small characters after ’Scent of the Silk Road’ and write ’Three Cannons Tea’."

She was so pleased with her idea that she couldn’t help but want to applaud herself. A brand with historical continuity can go further. Moreover, it could instantly immerse people into that glorious history. What they would be drinking was not just tea, but also history and culture.

Lu Zhanguo fondly stroked Gu Xiaobei’s head in approval, "You’re smart, you respond quickly. There are also many kinds of "Three Cannons," you need to learn more about it, so you can offer a variety."

Gu Xiaobei nodded, "You’re right, I need to find a teacher to properly learn about it, at the very least, I need to understand the culture behind this tea."

Lu Zhanguo actively contributed, "I can help you find an Ahong who’s knowledgeable in this area to teach you. After all, the Northwest is a region with many ethnic minorities, we need to pay attention to many issues."

The next morning, Gu Xiaobei hurried to apply to register the trademark. Even if it wasn’t needed right now, having it registered would put her at ease. She worried that if someone else came up with it and registered first, it would be too late.

After applying for the trademark, Gu Xiaobei went to the post office to call Lu Aiguo.

Lu Aiguo, in Capital City, was already waiting for Gu Xiaobei’s call. As soon as they connected, he told Gu Xiaobei that multiple manufacturers stated they hadn’t breached the contract because the person who signed the contract said that they were going to sell it in the southwest. Who would’ve thought that they’d haul it to the northwest? Besides, who knew whether it was actually a case of a northwest customer buying goods in the southwest?

Hearing this, Gu Xiaobei felt her anger rise, the manufacturer saw an order and naturally wouldn’t refuse. After completion, they completely washed their hands of it, truly shameless.

After hanging up, Gu Xiaobei, fuming, returned to the shop. Looking at the sluggish business, the need to transition the business was urgent. But on second thought, it would be better to sever the backroad. It would force her to push forward.

Lu Zhanguo managed to find a relative of his veteran friend. A highly respected Ahong, very knowledgeable about Three Cannons Tea. He arranged to visit the Ahong’s house for a learning session on Sunday.

Given the difference in ethnicity and religious beliefs, Gu Xiaobei asked Lu Zhanguo many questions about etiquette before going. Afraid that her every word and action might breach etiquette.

Lu Zhanguo simply stated a few pointers, did not mention that in more strict Hui households, it wasn’t allowed for men and women to sit together and they especially disliked women showing their faces.

The Ahong’s house was on Halal Street, the neat and trim courtyard, the color of the house’s exterior walls were all sky blue, painted with blue pigment mixed in with the lime.

The low kang took up the whole room, bowls and quilts neatly piled up on one side of the kang, covered with a white sheet embroidered with pomegranate flowers. On the wall hung a large embroidery of the holy city of their people—Mecca.

The Ahong was taken aback when he saw Gu Xiaobei but quickly welcomed the two warmly into his home.

Lu Zhanguo briefly explained their purpose and the things they wanted to learn.

The Ahong nodded approvingly, "That’s a good idea. Is your product Halal? There are many ethnic minorities in the Northwest, if it isn’t Halal, it won’t sell well."

Gu Xiaobei realized she overlooked this matter, it seemed she would need to reapply for the trademark.

Once the women of the house had brewed the cover-bowl tea and brought it in, she quietly exited the room and closed the door.

Only then did the Ahong begin to speak with a smile, "Enjoy our home-brewed Three Cannons Tea. There are many varieties of this tea including Brown Sugar Brick Tea, White Sugar Clear Tea, Rock Sugar Nest Tea, Three Fragrance Tea, Five Fragrance Tea, Eight Treasure Tea. Some are suitable for the elderly, and some for women. And in some places, as a part of the betrothal gift, tea must be given. Our people love this tea so much that there’s an old saying, we would sooner lose a thousand soldiers and horses than not clean the tea bowl..."

Gu Xiaobei quickly took down notes.

The Ahong then went on to explain the ingredients for each type of tea, which tea should be drunk in which season, the Jasmine Green Tea for summer, Shaanqing Tea for winter.

The best picking time of each tea, which wolfberries were the best, which longan was most authentic, and what were the eight treasures in Eight Treasure Tea.

Gu Xiaobei wrote quickly, she initially thought it was a simple thing, but did not expect to learn so much. No wonder there was a saying, the fate of the world can be decided over a cup of tea.

By the time they left the Ahong’s house, it was almost noon. Although they were enthusiastically invited to stay for lunch, understanding some of their customs, Gu Xiaobei didn’t want to put the host in an awkward position, they politely declined and headed home with Lu Zhanguo.