Anton Terekhov is a smart farmer, a hard worker who took over the farm inherited from his father and raised it, despite everything. But now the farm is under sudden threat: Anton's land is claimed by a cottage settlement, the construction of which is led by the vice mayor of the Zhilov district center. He has already dealt with most of the tenants, not disdaining either bribery or blackmail. Will Terekhov be able to emerge victorious from an unequal duel?