Gǔ shí guānyuán chūxíng, chāiyì zài qián mínɡ luó hèdào.
In ancient times when officials went out, runners walked ahead striking gongs and shouting to clear the way.
Tips
usage
In modern fiction, 喝道 almost always introduces dialogue shouted in anger or command — like English "barked" or "thundered." The historical "clear the road" sense survives mainly in costume dramas and novels.
mistakes
Note the reading: here 喝 is hè (4th tone, to shout/cry out), not hē (1st tone, to drink). Wrong tone changes the meaning entirely.
