3. Genghis Khan Rewarded a Man Who Had Almost Killed Him
“They are the Four Dogs of Temujin. They have foreheads of brass, their jaws are like scissors, their tongues like piercing awls, their heads are iron, their whipping tails swords . . . In the day of battle, they devour enemy flesh. Behold, they are now unleashed, and they slobber at the mouth with glee. These four dogs are Jebe, and Kublai, Jelme, and Subotai.” — The Secret History of the Mongols.
Jebe, born Zurgudai (d. 1225), was one of Genghis Khan’s leading generals, who started his military career in the ranks of Genghis’ enemies. During a battle in 1201, Zurgudai shot Genghis in the neck with an arrow. After winning the battle, a wounded Genghis asked his captives who had shot him, and Zurgudai confessed. Impressed by his honesty and courage, Genghis took him in his service, and named him “Jebe”, meaning arrow – the name by which he is known to history.
