A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

Chang Peng stood up and walked to the whiteboard: "First, activate the backup plan immediately."

The three truly core, top-tier design solutions are already in your minds.

"Second, see if we can make use of the school's legal resources, at least by sending a lawyer's letter first, so as not to be passive in public opinion."

Third, and most importantly, we need to turn this theft into our story.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't they steal your design?"

Then you should tell everyone what they stole, how they stole it, and what the real story behind these designs is.

Chang Peng spoke faster and faster: "Each design corresponds to a specific intangible cultural heritage technique, which inheritor you visited, what stories you heard... These are things they can't steal."

Guzalinur suddenly realized: "That's right! Designs can be stolen, but stories and souls can't be stolen!"

We can make a series of short videos that tell the real stories behind these designs!

"Not just short videos."

Guzalinur's eyes were firm. "This time we're going to do experiential cultural and creative products."

This allows consumers not only to buy products, but also to see the production process of intangible cultural heritage techniques through AR technology, and to hear the stories told by the inheritors themselves…

A week later, the official account of "Cotton Field Silk Road" posted a video titled: "They stole our designs, but they can't steal these stories."

In the video, Guzalinur herself appears and recounts her visit to Grandma Aysham, a successor of Atlas silk, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship of genuine hand-woven textiles—all of which are core elements of the stolen design.

"Some similar products have appeared on the market, but I want to ask everyone: if even the designers don't know the meaning behind the patterns, and if even the manufacturers haven't seen the actual weaving process of Atlas silk, then what's left of these products besides an empty shell?"

The video went viral.

Locals from Xinjiang recognized the authentic skills demonstrated in the video, while consumers from other regions were moved by the story. The comment section was quickly flooded with messages.

"Support originality! Support truly culturally rich creative products!"

"I bought that pirated version of something like '2.0,' and the quality was far worse than what I received. It's truly soulless!"

"I've returned the pirated copy; I'm waiting for the official version!"

What Guzalinur didn't expect was that Grandma Aisham personally recorded a video to support them: "Guzalin, this child, studied with me for a full half month, and her hands developed calluses before she could draw those patterns..."

A month later, Cotton Field Silk Road launched a true "Intangible Cultural Heritage" series, with only three products, but each of them comes with an audio story told by the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, and digital images of the production process can be seen through AR technology.

The price was twice that of the pirated version, but the sales volume was five times higher.

"Guzalinur, the pirated goods are starting to go on sale."

Turhong reported, "But the reputation has already collapsed, and no amount of lowering it will help."

Guzalinur nodded, but without much joy.

She won the battle, but she knew that as long as the Cotton Field Silk Road continued to grow, there would always be new enemies.

"By the way, there's new information from the police."

Turhong lowered his voice: "We've uncovered some clues about the hackers; there are indeed local counterparts pulling the strings behind the scenes. And... it might involve even bigger figures."

"What do you mean?"

"Some people have suggested that the previous attempts by the cultural and tourism departments to acquire our intellectual property, as well as the offers from capital firms to take an 80% stake, may not be isolated incidents."

Turhong put it cryptically, "Some people don't want to see a truly influential Xinjiang cultural and creative brand completely in our own hands."

Guzalinur recalled her past experiences—government officials wanted to acquire her, investors wanted to take control, competitors wanted to copy her, hackers wanted to steal her work…

Is all of this really just a coincidence?

"Guzalinur, shall we continue?"

Azgul asked cautiously, "This road is much more difficult to travel than we imagined."

"Of course we should continue."

It is precisely because the path is difficult that we must continue.

If we all give up, where will the children of Xinjiang in the future find genuine traces of their homeland's culture?

The meeting room was dimly lit.

On the table was the sales data report for this "Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance" series, with a beautiful growth curve. Next to it was a police briefing on the progress of the hacker investigation, and several newly received letters of intent for cooperation.

Teacher Chang Peng sat by the window and didn't say much.

After everyone finished discussing the next wave of product plans, he slowly put down his teacup, the ceramic cup tapping lightly against the wooden table with a solid sound.

"Guzalinur, and everyone else."

Should we...stop and look at the road ahead?

Gu Zaili was taken aback. Stop? The momentum is just right, how can we stop?

Before she could ask any questions, Chang Peng pointed to the sales report and said, "We fought this battle brilliantly."

They defeated plagiarism and the games of capital with their stories and sincerity.

But have we considered what level of battle we won?

"What we won was a product war, a public opinion war, and even a small battle to defend cultural dignity. But what ammunition did we use?"

"Those patterns were taught to you by Grandma Aysham, the stories you've collected over the years traveling throughout northern and southern Xinjiang, and the rich cultural treasures bestowed upon you by this land itself."

"Guzalinur, you are now like a group of exceptionally gifted miners who have discovered the most precious mineral vein and fought to the death to protect it from robbers."

That's impressive. But then what? Are you planning to spend your whole lives here, guarding this mine, fighting wave after wave of bandits who might come from any direction?

"Teacher Chang, do you mean... we're not going to keep watch anymore?"

"Defend, of course we must defend."

Chang Peng shook his head, "But it's not just about adopting a defensive posture."

I ask you, besides what this land has given us, besides what our predecessors taught us, what is the most core ability of our team that no one can take away from us?

Guzalinur whispered, "Is it our understanding of our hometown culture?"

"That is the foundation, the source, but not the weapon."

Chang Peng said, "Understanding may be misinterpreted, and stories may be misused."

What can never be taken away is the ability to create and understand these cultures, and to transform them into beauty that contemporary people can perceive and embrace.

It's about design skills, aesthetics, and the ability to tell stories and communicate across cultural contexts.

He walked up to Guzaili and asked, "Why is the Adras pattern you drew so moving?"

Not only because it comes from Grandma Aisham, but also because you have reorganized it with the language of modern design, giving it a new rhythm and breath.

This is your true inner strength. But right now, almost all of your inner strength comes from what you inherited.

Chang Peng pulled up a chair and sat down. "My suggestion is to take it in two steps."

The first step is for everyone, especially the core design team, to go back to the classroom.

It's not like the general courses in university; it's highly targeted continuing education.

Cutting-edge trends in visual communication, potential applications of materials science, technological implementation of immersive experiences, and even brand strategy and management...

Let's make up for the classes we missed, one by one.

We must fight battles, but only by honing our internal skills can we fight more brilliantly and sustainably.

"Then... what about the business?"

"Shrink business and focus."

We should safeguard the most successful intangible cultural heritage series and delve deeper into its development.

Our collaboration with those who carry on the traditions must continue; they are our roots.

However, new product development has been temporarily suspended.

What we need is not more products, but stronger products.