Right answer: the invention of gunpowder and the growth of Confucianism
The Tang Dynasty was considered a very active period of development for three religions: Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. In fact, the exams to enter the imperial public service were modified to focus on the Confucian teachings.
Its successor was the Song Dynasty, the first government in world history to use money paper, and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent navy. This dynasty also saw the first known use of gunpowder, as well as the first discernment of true North using the compass.
