The Tomsk governor from the second half of the 19th century, whose soul has found itself in the body of a 21st-century official, continues making attempts to change the course of history. With an armed escort, German Lerche travels to Altai on the so-called inspection. He needs a pretext to deploy troops into disputed territories. At the same time, he anxiously awaits news from the capital: the letters he sent may bring him excellent laurels—or cost him a career and even his life.