The rich merchant of the courtyard, Ferapont Pafnutevich Skvalygin, demands the return of debts from the merchants Razzhivin and Protorguev. Both, recognizing the debt, ask to wait a bit with payment. However, Skvalygin does not want to wait and threatens to "send a detective." Merchants again humiliatedly ask not to divulge the "bad rumor" and wait one, two days. Razzhivin is justified by a very high percentage (twenty-four) of the loan. To which Skvalygin refers to much greater interest known to him "at five cents and the hryvnia per ruble per month." Razzhivin is trying to inform Skvalygin, but he does not want to listen to anything and now promises to send him "to the magistrate." Merchants again and again try to soften him with requests; finally, he promises to wait if they cut off “arshinchiks to the top ten something”. Those reluctantly fulfill Skvalygin's desire and give the required tissue.

Skvalygin, going to the other side of the living room, is trying to repay the debt of other merchants - Pereboev and Smekalov. Pberevoy Skvalygin threatens to increase the fee for the shop, and at Smekalov - for the apartment, and in case of disagreement he is going to drive them away. The scene of the merchants' requests and humiliations is repeated, in the end, as a compensation, Skvalygin hands them the goods just received at a very high price and leaves, pleased with himself and accompanied by the quiet curses of the merchants.

In the courtyard there are two customers: mistress Shchepetkova, debtor Skvalygina, and Krepyshkina, his lender. The merchants in the shops do their best to call them. Women require a variety of goods: satin, "gus, silk stockings, East Indian scarves, ribbons," agramants ", bonnets, flowers and" French taffeta ". Upon examination, the ladies behave provocatively, act up, wrinkle and throw things. Merchants endure, offer more and more samples of goods, bargain for every penny. Finally, their patience bursts, and the merchants refuse to show anything. Angry Shchepetkova and Krepyshkina leave, promising to no longer buy from these merchants and thereby punish them.

Officer Pryamikov, appointed as a mayor and driving off to the duty station, asks Skvalygin to return the money he gave him without a receipt. Skvalygin wishes Pryamikov a happy journey, but refuses to pay the debt, citing a lack of money. He doesn’t believe straightforward people, as he knows about the large quantity of goods sent by the Skvalygin overseas. The merchant is deceiving that all the ships sank in the Caspian Sea, and he allegedly already paid his debt. Pryamikov is angry, calls Skvalygin a fraudster, promises to recall the fraud and leaves.

When Schepetkova and Krepyshkina saw Skvalygin, they started a conversation with him about joint monetary affairs. Shchepetkova wants to buy his bill from him, and Krepyshkina wants to get a debt. The one and the other Skvalygin refuses, referring to the circumstances that he pledged Shchepetkova’s bill, but can’t give Krepyshkina’s money, since she’s “in great decline”. Outraged women, threatening Skvalygin to bring their complaint to the authorities, leave the shop.

Having met with Pryamikov, Shchepetkova and Krepyshkina complain to him about Skvalygin and discuss how to punish him. The story of Krepyshkina that she gave Skvalygin's bill to the registrar Kryuchkodey for collection, upsets Pryamikov. He describes Kryuchkodey as a rogue who marries Skvalygin’s daughter, and also lives with a merchant in the house. Therefore, you don’t have to wait for good from Kryuchkodey and you need to contrive to get the bill back.

Skvalygin's wife, Salamanida, tells her husband about an unexpectedly leaked barrel of wine. Skvalygin does not believe her and accuses her of drinking wine.Appearing Kryuchkodey drags a man behind him, who ran, according to Kryuchkodey, shafting at him. A man makes excuses. Kryuchkodey, referring to the importance of the registration rank, requires a peasant to witnesses, and the peasant has to pay. As a result, frightening the peasant, Kryuchkodey lures all the cash from him and remains satisfied with himself, boasting to Skvalygin his efficiency.

Skvalygin asks to settle the matter with Shchepetkova, who took a loan of one hundred rubles and put in security for two hundred and fifty rubles of silver, having inscribed on the bill, so you need to get both silver and money. Kryukkodey promises to do everything. Skvalygin comes to taste and explains another matter, with Krepyshkina, who filed a bill of 10,000 rubles for Skvalygin's collection. If this bill Kryuchkodey "sweeps", then he was promised half the amount. Kryuchkodey promises to settle this matter, because the bill is in his possession. Salamanida can’t get enough of her future son-in-law and goes home to prepare a "hen party". Skvalygin is going to invite merchants to visit - their debtors, who already dare not come empty-handed. Protorguev and Interruptions agree to the invitation, and Smekalov and Razzhivin refuse.

Salamanida teaches her daughter, Khavronyu, how to behave with the groom: to sit "quietly", kiss him if he wants, orders him to whiten his skin and redden his cheeks. In front of Khavronya and the girls sitting at the table, Kryuchkodey, a friend with a casket, a matchmaker and guests with wives appear. The matchmaker, boyfriend and girls begin to play matchmaking. Salamanida carries a tray with silver charms to the guests, everyone gets up and waits for the groom to sip the cup and bring it to the bride. Unexpectedly for all, Kryuchkodey completely drinks a cup, explaining that he is not familiar with this custom and is used to “not sharing bribes”. The groom orders to pour a cup and asks Khavronya to drink from it, she refuses, but under the pressure of her mother she slurps and puts on a tray, Kryuchkodey finishes off after her. Squalygin quietly tells his wife to save vodka. The holiday continues, the girls bring a glass of vodka to the groom, he takes out a purse taken from the man and gives some money.

Shchepetkova, Krepyshkina and Pryamikov appear at the party and demand to return debts. Skvalygin is trying to seat everyone at the table, which Pryamikov disagrees with and demands answers to questions. Kryuchkodey says about the impossibility of returning the bill now, since he does not have it with him. Skvaligin still manages to seat those who came to the table. He persuades them not to rush, but to take part in the celebration.

Salamanida, Ulita, Afrosinya and the matchmaker, having secluded themselves and got rid of Skvalygin’s supervision, begin to drink plenty, exchanging memories of how each husband oppressed each other. After drinking, they sing a song that is interrupted by incoming guests. Pryamikov, Krepyshkina and Shchepetkova are being pressed onto Skvalygin and Kryuchkodey. Those pretending to be drunk, lie on the floor and supposedly fall asleep. Cursing the liars, Straight with companions leaves.

Upon learning of the departure of Pryamikov, Skvalygin and Kryuchkodey rise, rejoicing in a successful deception. Merchants with their wives receive an invitation to the wedding tomorrow and, assuring Skvalygin of devotion, they disperse. The next morning, Skvalygin tells his wife to save on purchases for the wedding, and if she does not get drunk, then he will allow her to drink plenty afterwards.

Khvalimov, Skvalygin’s nephew, informs him of his sister’s death and tells him that he was sent by the magistrate to redeem the debtors of Skvaligin. Skvalygin’s tone immediately changes to please. Khvalimov lists several debtors of Skvaligin and asks him to make a concession to unfortunate people, he does not agree, despite the nephew's persuasion. The nephew is trying to inform Skvalygin, he expels him from the yard.

Skvalygin and Kryuchkodey agree on how to deceive Shchepetkova and Krepyshkina: cut off the guarantee from Shchepetkova’s bill and put it into Khvalimov’s note, and scrap Krepyshkina on the back of the bill and write down the debt repayment, and Kryuchkodey will file both bills for collection. Kryuchkodey, learning about the approach of Pryamikov with the mistresses, runs away in an order with bills, and Skvalygin tells Khavronya to say that he is in the magistrate to receive money from debtors. Khavronya fulfills everything and presents a note with the debtors and the guarantee of Shchepetkova.Pryamikov, seeing a cut off guarantee, goes to the magistrate to ascertain the fate of bills.

Shchepetkova and Krepyshkina require Skvalygin their bills, he denies everything and sends them off.

A widow with young children begs Skvalygin to postpone the sale of their property at the expense of debt. He is not affected by the plight of the widow, and he expels everyone from the yard.

Merchants - debtors of Skvalygin tell him about the arrest of his son-in-law. The visiting secretary asks Skvalygin about the bills of Shchepetkova and Krepyshkina, he explains everything as they agreed with Kryuchkodey, and the cut off guarantee puts the blame on Kryuchkodey. Arrested Kryuchkodey dumps everything on Skvalygin. The counterfeit and cut off bills that were born make Skvalygin confess everything and blame Kryuchkodey in turn. Merchants Protorguev and Pereboyev confirm Skvalygin’s guilt, and the appeared man accuses Kryuchkodey and tells about his story. The secretary assures everyone that they will receive their money.

Each of those offended in the song lists Skvalygin's sins, and the choir glorifies the truth.