What did Cortes do on his way to Tenochtitlan that helped him conquer the Aztecs?

On his way to Tenochtitlan, Hernán Cortés forged strategic alliances with various indigenous groups who were rivals of the Aztecs, notably the Tlaxcalans. He also utilized superior military technology, including firearms and cavalry, which intimidated the Aztec forces. Additionally, Cortés took advantage of the political instability within the Aztec Empire, particularly the resentment towards Emperor Moctezuma II. These factors collectively enabled him to successfully conquer the Aztecs upon reaching their capital.