Editing Jianghu (section)

== Relationship with the government ==
Members of the ''jianghu'' are also expected to keep their distance from any government offices or officials, without necessarily being antagonistic. It was acceptable for ''jianghu'' members who were respectable members of society (usually [[gentries]] owning properties or big businesses) to maintain respectful but formal and passive relationships with the officials, such as paying due taxes and attending local community events. Even then, they are expected to shield any fugitives from the law, or at the least not to turn over fugitives to the officials. Local officials who are savvier would know better than to expect co-operation from ''jianghu'' members and would refrain from seeking help except to apprehend the worst and most notorious criminals. If the crimes also violated some of the moral tenets of ''jianghu'', ''jianghu'' members may assist the government officials.

An interesting aspect is that while senior officials are kept at a distance, ''jianghu'' members may freely associate with low-ranking staff such as runners, jailers, or clerks of the magistrates. The ''jianghu'' members maintained order among their own in the community and prevented any major disturbance, thus saving a lot of work for their associates in the ''[[yamen]]''. In return, the runners turn a blind eye to certain ''jianghu'' activities that are officially disapproved, the jailers ensure incarcerated ''jianghu'' members are not mistreated, and the clerks pass on useful tips to the ''jianghu'' community. This reciprocal arrangement allowed their superiors to maintain order in their jurisdiction with the limited resources available and ''jianghu'' members greater freedom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-12 |title=「江湖」與俠客及黑幫有何關係？ |url=https://www.bastillepost.com/hongkong/70446/960242/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=www.bastillepost.com}}</ref>