The troop of “foot soldiers” that set off from Hong Kong was made up of revolutionaries, overseas Chinese, triad members and the mercenaries, who with their clear goal were ready to sacrifice for the revolution.  There were also many hired menials who set forth to the front line without really knowing their significance.  The nameless martyrs of revolution were simply innumerable.

The Wuchang Uprising snatched victory in October 1911.  After that, troops of people — insurgents, commoners and young students alike — flocked to Guangdong to join in the mutiny.  In November the Guangdong province was declared independent, and the revolutionaries left Hong Kong for Guangzhou to set up a provisional military government, of which Hu Hanmin was the governor, Chen Jiongming the vice governor, Li Yutong the treasury secretary, Wu Tingfang the foreign minister, Chan Siu-bak the vice minister, Li Ki-tong the privy counselor, and Ho Kai and Wei Yuk the general counselors.  Hong Kong merchants from different sectors underwrote the operation of the Guangdong military government.  China, at this stage, was finally on the road to Republic.