Zhao returned to China in 1909, subsequently serving under Gen. Cai E and Gen. Li Quanhong in Guangxi Province during the Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the imperial government.

Made an army commander in Hunan Province, he supported Sun Yat-sen's unsuccessful attempt to overthrow President Yuan Shikai in the 1913 Second Revolution.

Afterwards he was sentenced to ten years in prison, but was freed by Yuan in 1915 and restored to his position as commander of the 1st Division of the Hunan Army in 1916.

As with Chen Jiongming, Zhao was an advocate of a federalist constitution, but Mao Zedong thought his motive was to retain his own power rather than improve the governance of his country.

On 11 March Tang's troops deposed Zhao and replaced him as the military and civil governor of Hunan as part of the opening campaign of the Northern Expedition.