cashew | 宋 (Song) dynasty doesn't get enough promotion (Reply)

Chinese period dramas are not nearly enamored enough with the 宋 (Song) dynasty. Most people are overly focused on it being the dynasty that the Mongols successfully invaded, so the narrative is always it was the dynasty that "ended" continuous Han rule (even though the "Han" majority has always been a huge mixture of immigrants since the existence of 汉 as a concept). But people never seem to remember that 宋 delivered so many cool things and is actually one of the most progressive dynasties, even probably more so than the often touted 唐 (Tang) dynasty. (Don't get me wrong, 唐 delivered some very major reform and policy changes, but for the most part it was still mostly in the experimental phase. 宋 refined everything from 唐 and really pushed through some hugely influential things.) So, here are some major contributions of 宋 dynasty:

Only dynasty in Chinese history where women were more valued culturally than men. Although patriarchy was still the governing norm, women across the board had much higher social status and gained privileges that were not available during other dynasties, including: earned higher average wages than men; could initiate divorce papers; had legal fiscal control of her dowry; held official positions in the government with corresponding pay; participated in the imperial exam; attended school with men; empresses took over decision making when the emperor was indisposed as a norm; etc.
The font 宋体 was developed and used as the default for printing to this day. It is also the default font for Chinese in digital format.
Printing press, gunpowder, naval compass were all invented during this dynasty.
Paper money invented and used regularly during this dynasty.
Balance of power between the Emperor and Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has the political power to veto the Emperor's decrees.
Successfully maintained three functioning branches of government that had oversight over each other. (唐 dynasty had it for a very short period before the central branch consolidated power and cannibalized the other two branches.)
Chairs.
Steeped tea instead of boiled tea.
Stir-fry. So much of "traditional" Chinese dishes came from this dynasty.
Black tea. Do you understand how coveted black tea is? England started wars (multiple) for access to this stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad dynastic China is in the past, because that system is oppressive AF, even with the reforms. But 宋 dynasty doesn't get enough credit for being one of the more culturally progressive dynasties.