Civil War. Randomly, the red commissioner Spiridonov Yakov Pavlovich is captured by the whites. During a search, they find in him a full bow of St. George's crosses (!). The White Guard commander is amazed that such a heroic man is fighting for the Reds. Without waiting for his fate, Spiridon escapes and finds shelter in one of the ravaged villages of a young teacher Efimova. Meanwhile, an emergency event takes place in the village - the men kill the soldier of the white army. The consequences will be the worst, and they go to bow to Spiridon to ask for advice and help: "Tell us what to do. We have a Maxim with three ribbons and a dozen rifles." Spiridon organizes his rebel detachment to repel white raids.