Xiongjing – Newly inaugurated Bai Empress Hexi announced in a social media post that she would be selling off her late father’s collection of automobiles in an upcoming Lunar New Year charity auction. Instead, she said she would use any available government vehicle for her duties.

The collection, which includes vintage and classic cars from around the world, has been a source of pride for the Bai Imperial family for many years. However, in recent years, it has also come under scrutiny from critics who argue that it represents a wasteful use of public funds, accusing the late Emperor of indulging in extravagance at the expense of the people.

“My father has a collection of automobiles that I am willing to give up to cut away any excessive expenses. I have rejected to use my father’s Crystalline as my official car and will rather use other vehicles to save costs,” the Empress said in the post. “The days of excessive spending and lavish lifestyles are over. My father’s collection shall be put up in an upcoming Lunar New Year charity auction with the proceeds going to a number of public projects and initiatives, including education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. We must all be responsible stewards of our resources and use them wisely for the benefit of our people.”

She had said earlier that no new official car would be bought for her use and no new unnecessary furniture would be bought by the Palace, as part of a new culture against wastage of public funds that must be practised by all. She has called on all government agencies to exercise prudence and accountability in their spending.

This is despite the Financial Minister expressing confidence that the Empire is “far from a risk of a financial collapse”, claiming that the government remains highly disciplined and has never failed to pay interest and mature debts.

Her coronation ceremony on New Year’s Day cost 736.5 million Bai Yuan, or US$106.8 million. The government claimed to have already reined in expenses by reducing the number of guests and special banquets to be held. However, they further explained that higher expenses for labour and materials had pushed costs up.

The decision has been praised by many in the Bai Empire, who see it as a sign of Empress Hexi’s commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility.

“This is a bold and necessary step,” said Bai Chancellor Huang Cailin. “It shows that Her Majesty is serious about tackling corruption and waste, and is willing to make difficult decisions for the good of the country.”

He added that the Bai government is working with the Hexi Empress to draft the upcoming fiscal budget for the country, to tackle economic woes and rising costs of living in the Empire.

The announcement of the sale of the car collection is expected to be followed by a series of other measures aimed at promoting accountability and responsible governance in the Bai Empire. The new Empress also said there would be no plans for landmark skyscrapers to be built in the country as a legacy to mark her father’s reign.

Back in the 1990s, the Fengyang Emperor built a series of landmarks, such as the Chenghong Tower and the Statue of Democracy, to commemorate his father’s legacy and honour the preceding dynasty’s principles. Critics back then accused the Emperor of cementing a cult around him and his family.

The Empress instead stated she would seek other ways to honour her father’s reign, such as retrofitting existing Palace properties into memorials dedicated to her father, as part of her promise to bring about sweeping changes in the country and to lead the Bai Empire into a new era of prosperity and progress.