Chiang was then given command of a regiment, and led three thousand men to Hangchow, Wenchow, and Taichow, all in his native province of Chekiang. His exploits sounded impressive, but the truth was that he encountered practically no opposition. As soon as a force was led against a town, imperial authority collapsed. Officials resigned or fled, and revolutionary leaders, mostly military, assumed authority. The progress was gratifying but hardly exciting.