The next morning, the routine began in a way similar to the day before.
Luis woke up early, had breakfast with the family, and shortly afterward was once again outside the main house.
This time, however, there was a small difference.
Matheus was walking beside them.
Or, more precisely, he was being dragged along by Miguel.
"I already said I'm going!" Matheus complained.
Miguel held his son's arm firmly.
"And I already said that today you're going to work."
Luis tried to hold back a smile.
Augusto watched the scene with obvious amusement.
"Consider this a lesson in discipline," he commented.
Matheus sighed dramatically.
"I just wanted to sleep a little longer…"
"You'll sleep when you're old," Miguel replied dryly.
And so, the four of them walked together across the property.
During the morning, they repeated much of the inspection from the previous day. They passed by the warehouse, observed the work in the fields, checked the stables, and briefly spoke with a few workers.
Matheus, initially in a bad mood, gradually became involved in the conversations.
But it was only when they reached the sawmill that something truly interesting happened.
The Sawmill
The sound of the saw operating echoed through the shed.
Rafael was standing beside the machine, carefully observing the movement of the belt.
When he saw the group enter, he turned off the equipment and approached.
"Mr. Augusto."
"Mr. Miguel."
"Young gentlemen."
Augusto looked at the machine.
"So?"
Rafael gave a small smile.
"Working perfectly."
He pointed to the pulley assembly.
"It was exactly the misalignment that young Mr. Luis suggested."
Luis quickly looked at the mechanism.
Indeed, now the belt rotated with much more stability.
Augusto lightly patted Rafael's shoulder.
"Excellent work."
Rafael looked slightly embarrassed.
"Actually… it was young Mr. Luis who found the problem."
He looked at Luis with respect.
"I would probably have taken much longer to notice."
Augusto then looked at his son.
Once again, there was that curious spark in his eyes.
"It seems you have a good eye for machines."
Luis shrugged.
"I only observed."
Augusto was about to continue the visit when Luis spoke.
"Father."
Augusto turned.
"Yes?"
Luis pointed toward the sawmill.
"I would like to discuss an idea."
Augusto crossed his arms.
"What kind of idea?"
Luis replied calmly.
"Automating the sawmill."
The silence that followed was immediate.
Rafael blinked.
Matheus raised his eyebrows.
Miguel frowned slightly.
Augusto watched his son attentively.
"Automating?"
Luis nodded.
"Some mechanical improvements could greatly increase production efficiency."
Rafael immediately stepped closer.
"What kind of improvements?"
Luis began explaining a few basic ideas.
Nothing extremely advanced by twenty-first-century standards, but still quite innovative for that time: better power transmission, guide systems for wood, perhaps mechanisms that would reduce repetitive manual labor.
Rafael seemed increasingly interested.
"That could increase production a lot…"
Augusto, however, remained silent.
He did not seem to reject the idea.
But he was clearly evaluating the risks.
After a few moments, he spoke.
"Ideas are good."
He looked at Luis.
"But machines cost money… and time."
Luis replied firmly.
"I can develop something more concrete."
Augusto kept his eyes on him for a few seconds.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Very well."
Rafael looked excited.
Augusto continued:
"If you can present a solid idea…"
He made a small gesture with his hand.
"I will support it."
Luis smiled slightly.
"Thank you, father."
After that, Augusto and Miguel continued their inspection of the farm.
But Luis stayed at the sawmill.
Rafael immediately began enthusiastically discussing possibilities.
And, to everyone's surprise…
Matheus stayed as well.
He crossed his arms and looked around.
"Hm…"
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"You're going to help?"
Matheus shrugged.
"Seems more interesting than going back with my father."
Luis laughed.
"Trying to escape his supervision?"
Matheus smiled.
"Exactly."
Luis looked toward Miguel, who was still nearby.
"Father!" Matheus said quickly.
Miguel turned.
"What is it?"
Matheus pointed at Luis.
"The young master needs help here."
Luis immediately confirmed.
"Yes. He can help carry parts and tools."
Miguel looked at the two of them suspiciously.
But after a moment, he sighed.
"Very well."
He pointed at Matheus.
"But no laziness."
Matheus gave a big smile.
"Of course, father."
Miguel simply shook his head before leaving with Augusto.
Some time later, Augusto and Miguel were already back in the office of the house.
Miguel closed the door behind him.
He seemed thoughtful.
"Mr. Augusto…"
Augusto lifted his eyes from a few documents.
"Yes?"
Miguel crossed his arms.
"What if something goes wrong?"
Augusto tilted his head slightly.
Miguel continued:
"If they dismantle something important… we could compromise the sawmill for weeks."
He paused.
"Maybe months."
Augusto leaned back in his chair.
"I know."
Miguel looked surprised.
"And even so, you allowed it?"
Augusto replied calmly.
"Because I believe the risk is worth it."
Miguel frowned.
Augusto explained:
"Even if everything goes wrong…"
He clasped his hands on the table.
"Luis will be learning."
Miguel remained silent.
Augusto continued:
"Practical experience."
"Responsibility."
"Consequences."
He looked out the office window toward the farm.
"I prefer that he make mistakes now."
Augusto looked back at Miguel.
"While he is still learning."
He concluded calmly:
"It is better to make mistakes managing a sawmill… than to make mistakes managing something truly large."
Miguel remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he nodded slowly.
"I understand."
And somewhere on the property, at that very moment, Luis was already beginning to sketch the first drafts of ideas that could completely change the way the sawmill worked.