The action of the movie unfolds on two levels. On the one hand, the shepherds, displaced by the abuses of the Habsburg powers, are living in "the country". Here they run into other troubles, with the demands of the Phanariot authorities. At the same time, the action unfolds in the village deserted by people and flocks, left at home and obsessed with getting rich, Pastor Nicolae Branga gives in to the temptations of the Viennese domination and, betraying his fellow countrymen, becomes mayor. He gets rich "overnight", playing into the hands of potentates on both sides of the border. In need of wool and meat, the emperors hatch a devious plan. Promising him the title of "nemes" (lord), they corrupt Branga and, with worthless documents, try to persuade the villagers to return to their homes, and then declare them "serfs", seizing all their wealth.