In the winter of 1819, an interesting incident occurred at the theater. The young Pushkin, already known for his free verses and the poem "Ruslan and Lyudmila," sat in a box and loudly expressed his outrage, considering the play disgusting. His neighbor, a major, pompously suggested that Alexander Sergeyevich behave more quietly. Pushkin, casting a sidelong glance at the military man and immediately understanding whom he was dealing with, ignored this remark. The major then threatened to call the police to remove the "disturber" from the hall. Pushkin calmly smiled and said, "Well, let's see how you manage that," continuing his sharp comments about the play.

After the performance, the major stopped Pushkin in the foyer and said, "Young man, you disturbed me from listening to the play." Pushkin replied, "Yes, I am not an old man, but it is even more impolite to say this to me with such gestures. Where do you live?" Major Denisyevich gave his address and scheduled a meeting for 8 a.m., which at that time meant a duel challenge. The poet, extremely sensitive about matters of honor, took it exactly that way. At the appointed time, he arrived at Osterman's house on Galetnaya Street with seconds. However, the duel did not take place. Denisyevich's roommate turned out to be the adjutant of Count Osterman-Tolstoy, Ivan Lazhechnikov, who advised Pushkin "not to waste noble powder on such a case and spurs of irony on an ass's skin." Lazhechnikov easily convinced the major to apologize to Alexander Sergeyevich, possibly saving the future Sun of Russian poetry.

In 1823, while serving as the director of schools in the Penza province, Lazhechnikov visited a school in Chembary. There he noticed a twelve-year-old boy who stood out among the other students for his seriousness, courage, and independence of judgment. To all questions, the young man answered with such confidence as if he were swooping down on them like a hawk on its prey. This boy was the future great critic Vissarion Belinsky. Thus, Lazhechnikov played a role in the formation of a future star of the Russian Empire.