Let \( y = x \) be the equation of a chord of the circle \( C_1 \) (in the closed half-plane \( x \ge 0 \)) of diameter 10 passing through the origin. Let \( C_2 \) be another circle described on the given chord as diameter. If the equation of the chord of the circle \( C_2 \), which passes through the point \( (2, 3) \) and is farthest from the center of \( C_2 \), is \( x + ay + b = 0 \), then \( b \) is equal to: