Juerbiesu

Juerbiesu 菊儿别速
Empress Dowager of Qara Khitai
Tenure	1177–1213
Predecessor	Yelü Pusuwan
Spouse	Inanch Bilge khan Tayang Khan Yelü Zhilugu Genghis Khan
Issue	Princess Hunhu (渾忽公主)

Juerbiesu also known as Guerbiesu (Chinese: 菊儿别速 or 古儿别速; pinyin: Júerbiésù) — was one of the wives of Yelü Zhilugu and a former consort of two Naimans Khans. She eventually became one of Genghis Khan's numerous wives.

Biography

Juerbiesu was an empress of Qara Khitai, Mongol Empire, and Naiman. She was a renowned beauty on the plains.

She was originally a favored concubine of Inanch Bilge khan and after his death, his two sons Tayang Khan (太阳汗) and Buyi Luhei (不亦鲁黑) fought over Juerbiesu. The two brothers drifted apart and Taiyang Khan eventually won over Juerbiesu. Since Tayang Khan was a weak and indulgent ruler, most of the power in Naiman politics was in Juerbiesu's control. Once, a smaller khan wanted to defect to the Naimans, but Juerbiesu doubted his loyalty and executed the smaller khan.

Juerbiesu also became a wife of Yelü Zhilugu, the ruler of Liao. She was known as Empress Haerbazhen (哈儿八真皇后) and gave birth to a daughter, Princess Hunhu (渾忽公主)- who would later marry Juerbiesu's stepson Kuchlug. She was with Yelü Zhilugu during his capture by Tayang Khan's son Kuchlug in 1211. She was later honored as Empress Dowager by Kuchlug.

Eventually, Genghis Khan destroyed the Naiman tribe and Tayang Khan was killed. Kuchlug was captured and killed and Princess Hunhu was executed by the Khan's troops. Juerbiesu made several offensive remarks regarding Mongols, describing their clothes as dirty and smelly. Yet, she stopped her claims and visited Genghis Khan's tent. He questioned her about the remarks but was immediately attracted to her beauty. After spending the night with him, Juerbiesu promised to serve him well and he took her as one of his empresses. Her status was only inferior to his other empresses Khulan (忽兰) and Borte (孛儿帖). Her granddaughter Linqgun Khatun was made a wife of Tolui, who bore him his son Qutuqtu.