An elder from one of the five major families immediately reprimanded him.

Lin Yu shook his head and chuckled, "You have guns in your hands, so naturally others won't dare to resist, but do you think that the people are happy just because they don't resist?"

Lin Yu grabbed the owner of the fried pancake stall in the distance, pulling him towards him from afar. He stared into the owner's eyes and asked, "Are you happy?"

"I, I..." The fried pancake vendor panicked and didn't know what to do, constantly wiping his greasy hands on his apron.

I'm so happy!

I get up before dawn every day and go to bed later than a dog at night. I earn a pittance of a few taels of silver every day, which is not enough to afford a wedding. I also have to face heavy taxes. How can I be happy?

Lin Yu tossed him aside and said, "There are countless people in this city suffering like him. A city this big should be thriving, but the reality is that it feels very desolate. Many people don't get married, have no offspring, and live a miserable life. You call this happiness?"

The elderly men blushed even more.

Xu Huailie shook his head calmly and said, "Young man, you don't understand! This is for the healthy development of Bingdong City. We have limited resources here, and we don't need so many people! Too many people would only be a burden!"

"You think having too many people is a burden? But I've heard that your five great families are currently actively encouraging childbirth?"

Lin Yu sneered, "According to my statistics, the City Lord's Mansion, together with the five major families, including their close relatives and distant relatives, accounts for nearly one-tenth of the entire Bingdong City population. However, they control ninety percent of the city's resources. This is the main reason for the decline in the birth rate of Bingdong City!"