He pointed out that, had they intended to oppose the advance of the white men by force of arms, the whole strength of the empire should have been dispatched to dispute the passage of the mountains.

As that had not been done, they should now be received in friendly fashion, as the ambassadors of the great king whom Cortez claimed to represent.

Some of the other counselors, led by Cuitlahua, Montezuma's brother, were in favor of turning out all the forces and repelling the invasion; but Cacama's counsel prevailed, and an embassy was dispatched, under his leadership, to greet the Spaniards and conduct them to the capital.
The Spanish army advanced slowly.

They halted for two days at Amaquemecan, where they were well received and hospitably entertained, and presented with a considerable sum in gold.

They then marched forward to Ajotzinco, a town standing at the southern extremity of Lake Chalco, and partly erected on piles rising from the lake itself.