Alchemists in Tang/Song China discovered gunpowder around the 9th-10th century while seeking elixirs. Initially for fireworks and medicine, it revolutionized warfare with bombs and cannons, spreading globally and altering military history.

The invention of gunpowder in China around 900 significantly influenced military poetry, with poets reflecting on themes of conflict and destruction. This technological advancement also permeated global literary depictions, shaping narratives that explore the dual nature of innovation as both a tool for progress and a harbinger of chaos.