Consider what happened in the first turn or two in this game.
Some players in the IC gave all their peasants to other players. I
suspect that at least some of these transactions occurred because the
players who gave away their peasants didn't realize their value and
were misled by more experienced players.
Some people would say that was unfair/dishonest. Others would argue
differently. There is no "truth" in the matter beyond the rules.
Certainly Rich shouldn't have to decide those matters on a
case-by-case basis.
-- Scott T.