A criminal drama based on the story of the same name by Pavel Nilin. The first years of Soviet power in East Siberia. Malyshev,deputy chief of Criminal Investigation Department, a Komsomol member, wins over to the Soviet power a former field-hand and now a bandit Lazar Baukin, and the latter tells him about Vorontsov, the gang leader. Malyshev guarantees Baukin’s freedom. However the chief arrests him in order to reap laurels of catching the gang leader. Malyshev is in despair - he has brought under execution the man who has fully trusted him. The situation gets worse due to his personal drama and Malyshev commits suicide.

The action takes place at the construction site of a large power plant in Siberia. A professional conflict arises between the construction manager, Krotov, and the chief engineer, Yuryev, which is complicated by personal relationships—Elena, Krotov's wife, has genuinely fallen in love with Yuryev, a man of principles, honesty, and kindness.

Fabrikant, Ilya Artamonov of the former serfs. His desire to strengthen and develop the business knows no obstacles. He is still associated with the peasants and craftsmen, but with his death, this relationship ends. Between Peter Artamonov, his son, who became the owner of the factory, and the workers grows a wall of enmity. The first political speeches are brewing. On the side of the proletariat becomes the heir artemovskogo case Ilya Artamonov, Jr.

A boy breeds horses on the plains between Belarus and the Caucasus. When the German invasion comes he joins the partisans as a horseman.