For many years the great Emir of Bukhara has not known happiness - he has lost the taste to delightful khalva, and now life is as sour as a lemon for him. The house of poor pot-maker Shir-Mamed, however, is full of happiness - his little son Hodzha Nasreddin has been born. Rumours have spread about his unusual abilities - maybe he will be able to make the Emir happy again?

Yakov Koreshnikov, a border guard with extensive experience, is leading an operation to detain a group of foreign agents. Back in the 20s, he participated in the liquidation of the Basmachi gang. Then he first met the traitor Abzal. During the Great Patriotic War, Koreshnikov again had to face him. The saboteurs sent to the Turkestan highway area were then destroyed, but Abzal managed to escape. And here is their last meeting...