Emden at the turn of the 13th century. The cloth merchant Wibolt Flaskoper finds himself in existential distress through no fault of his own. He has made no mistakes, but things in his trade are turning against him. Profits are lacking or being swallowed up by costs. His commercial decline is exacerbated by his political ambitions in Emden. He wants to become mayor there, but he can only do so as a solvent merchant. When the situation seems hopeless, a sudden opportunity for salvation arises through a contact with foreign traders involving a single large deal. Too bad it’s not legitimate!.