Jebe - Definition

Jebe(者別,?∼1225) was the nickname of a Korean monk named Kim Sa-Yung. He became one of Ghenghis Khan's top generals.

As a monk, Sa-Young and his master's civil rebellions were fought against the Korean government to help the civilians for their better lives in Korea. However, the Korean general named Li Ei-Min, who had more power than a king of Korea destroyed the Sa-Young and his master's rebellions. After the revolt, Sa-Young, and his master had to exile from Korea. His master was very concerned about the life of his daughter named Kim Cho-Hee, who fell in love with Kim Sa-young. So, Sa-Young’s master asked Sa-Young to take care of his daughter, and he sacrificed himself to protect Sa-Young and his daughter. Because of Sa-young’s master’s death, Sa-Young and Cho-Hee were able to cross the northern border of the kingdom of Korea safely. However, while they were crossing the border of northern China, Cho-Hee was captured by the soldiers of Tar-Tar (one of the Mongolian tribes), and Sa-Young was almost killed by them. Later, Cho-Hee became a concubine for the Tar-Tar's general, Mujin-Soltu, and Sa-Young became a soldier in one of the Mongolian tribes called Besut.

When Genghis Khan attacked Besut tribe, Sa-Young shot Ghenghis Khan's right cheek, and the wound almost killed Genghis Khan. After the Genghis Khan's recovery, he attacked Besut tribe again, and he conquered the tribe, where Sa-Young served. At first, Genghis Khan tried to kill Sa-Young, but he could not kill Sa-Young because of his bravery, and his talent in archery. Due to the loss of Cho-Hee, Sa-young did not want to live, but he decided to serve Genghis Khan at the end because Genghis Khan promised to find Cho-Hae. Since Sa-Young almost killed Genghis Khan with an arrow, he named Jebe (called “the fast arrow” in Mongolian) for Sa-Young.

Jabe was considered as the one of the best warriors under the Genghis Khan. His accuracy and speed at shooting arrows was considered as the work of an arrow god. He was one of the members of "The Four Hounds", and was Genghis Khan's most favorite warrior. Unlike other Mogolian soldiers, Jebe never had any wives. Although he did not marry Kim Cho-Hee as his wife, he always considered Cho-Hee as his wife. However, he had a servant called, Andaha, but he never had any deep relationship with her.

Some historians believed that he conquered Kira Kitai and the kingdom of Late Liao. He also conquered the Great Wall of China to attack Jin dynasty.

Jebe's death was very similar to Genghis Khan's death. After he conquered Kira Kitai, he helped Jochi to create Jochi’s empire in Russia. While he was helping Jochi, he fell off from the horse. Due to the accident and many other injuries from the battle, Jebe’s health became critical, and he died from loss of blood.

[Has any of the above been verified by historical sources? That Jebe was a Korean monk is truly surprising.]