The original meaning of rivers and lakes refers to vast rivers and lakes. Later, it also refers to the social environment that was adapted to the situation in ancient times without accepting the control and command of the authorities and legal constraints.
Jianghu is the place where people exist, and Jianghu is the society. In ancient times, Jianghu was a folk far away from the imperial court and the ruling class, and all kinds of chivalrous men and hermits were among them.
Jianghu in martial arts novels is actually a network of people with martial arts in novels and people related to them.