Silverboy, I respect what you're saying.
If your recruiter is genuinely serving your interests, that would be a fine thing indeed.
Unfortunately, it's been shown time and again that few if any recruiters truly work for US...their history has overwhelmingly been one of working for the schools that ultimately pay their salaries.

As for long-term L visas...remember back around the Beijing Olympics, when no one could get an L with a term of over a month? (OK, a couple got 3-months, but precious few...)
Last I heard, it is not legal to work in China on an L visa. ANY L visa, long- or short-term. Even Spouse visas, which are a form of L visa, do not convey the right to work in China.
And I submit that working illegally in China, under any circumstances, is ALWAYS a terrible, terrible idea.