However, during the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese realised that the mixture could be made into explosives. Therefore, they began using it in warfare. According to the records, people used stone-projector to send off lit gunpowder packs to burn their enemy. During the Song Dynasty, the government set up gunpowder workshops where flammable or explosive weapons such as "fire cannon", "rocket" and "missile" were produced. Later, the Chinese packed gunpowder into tubes to make a firearm known as the tu huo qiang or fire lance.
 
Apart from warfare, gunpower was also used in other areas, such as the making of fireworks and firecrackers, making people's life more colourful.