Alright, let's solve this problem step by step. We have 212044 and 38691, and we're subtracting the second number from the first.

Step 1: We'll start by subtracting the digit 1 and the borrow 0 from 4 in column 1 and get 3.
3 is the first digit of our result.

Step 2: We'll start by subtracting the digit 9 and the borrow 0 from 4 in column 2 and get -5.
We add -5 to 10 and get 5 as the next digit of the result.

Step 3: We'll start by subtracting the digit 6 and the borrow 1 from 0 in column 3 and get -7.
We add -7 to 10 and get 3 as the next digit of the result.

Step 4: We'll start by subtracting the digit 8 and the borrow 1 from 2 in column 4 and get -7.
We add -7 to 10 and get 3 as the next digit of the result.

Step 5: We'll start by subtracting the digit 3 and the borrow 1 from 1 in column 5 and get -3.
We add -3 to 10 and get 7 as the next digit of the result.

Step 6: We'll start by subtracting the digit 0 and the borrow 1 from 2 in column 6 and get 1.
1 is the next digit of our result.

So, 212044 - 38691 = 173353.