The sun hung low above the ridges of Minas Gerais, its golden light glinting on the slow-moving waters of the Paraopeba River. Crates of iron fittings, salt, and smoked meat were being unloaded from a flat-bottomed barge by men barefoot in the mud. The thud of hooves echoed from afar, as mule-drawn carts rolled down the dirt roads toward the riverside encampment.
Marcos stood atop a modest rise, surveying the activity below. His eyes traced the banks of the river, the cart paths stretching into the treeline, and the unfinished stone structure that would soon be his new home and headquarters. It was more than a house — it was the symbol of a pivot.
Belo Horizonte had served him well, but it was no longer enough. The increasing demands of his enterprise — and its growing visibility — required a location with more strategic freedom. Betim, with its river access and looser oversight, offered exactly that.
A Strategic Decision
The decision had been calculated. Reports had flooded in over the last weeks: worsening roads, rising tolls on provincial trails, and the quiet tightening of influence by rival merchants near Sabará. Belo Horizonte, for all its growth, was becoming a glass cage.
In a meeting with Ana, Baltazar, and two senior logistics handlers, Marcos laid out his reasoning.
— "Betim lies on the river. It links us to Contagem, Esmeraldas, and Nova Lima. And it sits just far enough from the capital's eyes."
Ana leaned forward. "And what of the local authorities? The parishes? The old families?"
Marcos smiled slightly. "They've had nothing but chaos and neglect. We offer order — and coin."
Building the Nucleus
Within weeks, land had been purchased along the Paraopeba, discreetly and under several names. There, the foundation was laid for:
A storage warehouse with open bays for carts and boats.
A timber dock, modest but functional, for barge traffic.
A stone-walled residence, designed as both home and fortification, with tall outer walls, guard posts, and inner quarters for trusted staff.
The structure had no noble flourish. It was strong, simple, and austere — like the man who commanded it.
Infrastructure Investments
To solidify the move, Marcos redirected 30% of the quarterly earnings toward:
Improving key road segments between Betim, Contagem, and Nova Lima.
Training new carters and establishing rest points along routes, with shade, fresh water, and guarded stations.
Acquiring two barges and hiring local rivermen, familiar with the Paraopeba's current and temperament.
Each investment was carefully chosen to reduce overhead and expand regional reach without drawing the gaze of provincial officials.
Labor and Loyalty
The relocation demanded hands. Marcos oversaw the hiring of:
Three record-keepers to manage cargo and personnel logs.
Four riders, each assigned daily courier routes to nearby towns.
Over twenty free workers — stone masons, carpenters, coopers, and ferrymen.
To ensure loyalty, Marcos introduced a voucher system — tokens redeemable at affiliated stores and inns, gradually creating an internal economy of trust.
A Visit from Paracatu
Rumors of the new riverside operation reached far — even to Paracatu, where the Ferreira family had operated a glassworks for two generations. Manuel Ferreira, patriarch and master glassblower, came not out of desperation but of curiosity. He brought with him his daughter, Isabela Ferreira, known in the region not only for her striking clarity of speech but for her uncanny ability with ledgers and contracts.
Their arrival was quiet — two ox-carts, a servant, and a small covered wagon with glass samples. Marcos received them in his half-built hall.
Business was the topic of the day — safe transport of fragile goods, setting up a workshop near Contagem, and possible long-term supply arrangements. Isabela remained mostly silent, keenly observing the room, the grain of the paper Marcos used for his records, and the lines of his trade routes drawn in ink.
When her father left to inspect the dock, Isabela stayed behind under the pretense of studying the books.
— "You use paper of uncommon weight," she remarked without looking up.
— "From the South," Marcos answered, surprised.
— "You plan for something beyond trade, then."
— "I do. Whether it matters will depend on the times to come."
She closed the ledger carefully and returned it to its place.
— "My father is curious about your enterprise. I, however, am curious about your intentions."
Marcos raised an eyebrow, then offered a respectful nod.
— "Both shall be answered — in due time."
When the Ferreira party departed before nightfall, Isabela left behind a small, round mirror with an iron frame, carefully wrapped in a linen cloth. A note pinned to the cloth read:
"So that you may remember yourself, even when others insist you are someone else."
System Notification
Later that evening, the familiar silent hum returned in Marcos' mind:
[Mission Complete: Establish Operational Base in New Territory]
✔ Site secured in Betim
✔ First river routes operational
✔ Workforce expanded
Reward Unlocked: Design Blueprint — Sand and Charcoal Water Filter (Rural Use)
As he stood by the rising tower of his future home, watching the moon's reflection stretch across the river, Marcos knew this wasn't merely relocation. This was a foundation — one built on currents, stone, and intention.
And it would hold.