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